BUFFALO (NY)
WGRZ-TV [Buffalo NY]
July 9, 2026
By Chelsea Swift
Federal prosecutors say the investigation began after Scottish authorities alerted the FBI.
A former Buffalo priest who has been on permanent leave from ministry since 2019 appeared in federal court Thursday after his arrest in connection with an international child exploitation investigation.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York, Jeffrey Nowak was arrested Wednesday following an investigation that began in September of 2025. He is being held in U.S. Marshals custody and is scheduled to return to federal court Monday for a detention hearing.
Federal investigators allege FBI agents searched Nowak’s home and recovered multiple electronic devices, including folders containing child sexual abuse material.
The Diocese of Buffalo said Nowak has been on permanent leave since 2019.
According to federal prosecutors, the investigation began after Scottish authorities notified the FBI about Nowak. Investigators say the FBI received information involving a Telegram group whose members allegedly participated in Zoom calls where child sexual abuse material was viewed and shared.
Michael DiGiacomo, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York, said encrypted technology has made investigations like this increasingly complex.
“As technologies advance, and you have these encrypted apps, and now individuals can participate in these sessions, it makes it much more difficult to sometimes find these folks,” DiGiacomo said.
Ryszard Biernat, former secretary to former Bishop Richard Malone, said international cooperation ultimately led to the charges.
“The federal government steps in with the help of international communities — with New Zealand, Scotland — and finally are able to bring the charges of this man. For years the diocese refused to investigate the guy,” Biernat said.
Federal prosecutors said the investigation remains ongoing.